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Freshwater

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About this listen

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019

Feeling explodes through the language of this scalding novel, heralding the arrival of a fierce new literary voice.

Ada was born with one foot on the other side. Having prayed her into existence, her parents, Saul and Saachi, struggle to deal with the volatile and contradictory spirits peopling their troubled girl.

When Ada comes of age and heads to college, the entities within her grow in power and agency. An assault leads to a crystallization of her selves: Asughara and Saint Vincent. As Ada fades into the background of her own mind and these selves - now protective, now hedonistic - seize control of Ada, her life spirals in a dark and dangerous direction.

Narrated from the perspectives of the various selves within Ada, and based in the author's realities, Freshwater explores the metaphysics of identity and being.

©2018 Akwaeke Emezi (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction

The Pride List of Queer Storytelling

To mark Pride 2023 Audible teamed up with non-profit organisation, Out on the Page, supporter and champion of LGBTQIA+ writers and writing, to release an extensive Pride List of Queer Storytelling. Featuring contributions from some of the UK’s most important and exciting voices from the LGBTQIA+ community, this audiobook is one of the many featured on the list that is available to listen to on Audible.
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Critic reviews

"Sheer perfection: sexy, sensual, spiritual, wise. One of the most dazzling debuts I've ever read." (Taiye Selasi Guardian Best Books 2017)
All stars
Most relevant
Have read this twice and now listened on Audible, and I love it more each time. Beautiful and challenging.

Wonderful

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This is an intriguing read, and I have to admit I struggled to follow what was happening as I’m not familiar with the concept of the ogbanje. The writing is rich enough that I was happy to listen and let it wash over me when I wasn’t quite following it. A difficult but rewarding read.

Fascinating read

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I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of ambrosia...as an Igbo woman, I salute the story and the "other" perspective it offered. I felt like I'd listened to 5 hours of high quality poetry. This writer has a very illustrious future ahead of her; watch this space! Well done Akwaeze!

Wow!

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Finished this one in one go. Goes against my beliefs but happy to ready a different take on what seems like real life experience for the author?

Good read

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I haven't yet finished this book,
and it will take me a while. This book is so rich, such depth i am submerged in Akwaeke's words.
This family is full of gifts to give.

rich, deep, absolute: a gift from the Emezi's

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